Shutdown Corner

Houston couple selling valuable football card in hopes of having a baby

A Houston couple going through infertility treatment saw their medical bills piling up, so they have come up with an interesting solution to pay off their medical debts. According to Susan Lulgjuraj at Beckett's, Todd and Ula Nelkin are planning to sell a rare football card.

Starting in the final week of October, card fans can bid on a 1999 Donruss Elite Passing the Torch Autograph card with Walter Payton and Barry Sanders' signatures, graded a Gem Mint 10 by Beckett Grading Services. Todd has owned the card for 10 years. He had it graded by Beckett's three years ago, and it was found to be the only card like it to be in such good condition.

They are hoping the sale of the card will pay for a successful third in vitro fertilization after one ended in an ectopic pregnancy, and another didn't work. Todd said he will take a high-quality scan of the card before he parts with it. Though he will miss having such a valuable reminder of two of the league's greatest running backs, he is happy the card will be used for something so important.

"I know this is going to sound a little sappy," Todd said, "but this could be the only card in existence that is responsible for a human life. Hopefully, someone will be on this planet because of that card. I think this adds a nice element to the history of that card."

In 2009, the same card sold on eBay for $2,024. If you're interested in getting the card, check out eBay under "NelkinsBaby2012" during the last week of October.